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Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Blues'

Densely-tufted, deciduous, perennial grass about 1m tall, producing an upright mound of narrow, arching, grey to blue-green leaves. Upright, silvery blue-green flowers in racemes of wispy spikelets, appear in late summer and early autumn. The whole plant turns red, orange and copper colours in autumn

Synonyms
Andropogon gerardii 'Prairie Blues'
Andropogon scoparius 'Prairie Blues'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Blue
Summer Green Grey Silver Grey Silver Blue
Autumn Brown Orange Red Bronze Orange Red
Winter Brown Orange Brown Orange
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Poaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Schizachrium are deciduous, perennial grasses with flat, linear leaves, upright growth and narrowly-branched flower sprays

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in sharply drained soil in full sun. See ornamental grasses cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut down old stems and leaves in late winter

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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